Composition of Byzantine glasses from Umm el-Jimal, northeast Jordan: Insights into glass origins and recycling

Twenty glass samples collected from four structures at Umm el-Jimal, northeast Jordan were analysed using the Electron Probe Micro-Analysis (EPMA). Except one ash-soda-lime-silica glass, all were natron-soda-lime-silica glasses of Levantine origin. Most of the glasses compositionally resemble glass from the Byzantine tank furnaces at Apollonia-Arsuf (Arsuf), but four with lower lime are closer to Umayyad period production at Bet Eli’ezer (Hadera). The paper presents diagnostic information indicating recycling in a Diagnostic Recycling Table (DRT) in which the analyses are ranked in a descending order of K2O, a key contaminant in the recycling process. This allows the comparison of a range of contaminant elements and it is observed that in general glass contaminated with fuel ash components K2O, P2O5 and CaO are also richer in transition metal oxides CuO, PbO, FeO and MnO, confirming that both sets of elements are important in identifying recycled glass. Chlorine is also identified as a component modified by recycling. The results ascertain that Umm el-Jimal was part of a major system of glass recycling in the Byzantine period, and emphasise the importance of recycled glass in its supply, in spite of its relative proximity to the location of raw glass production on the Syro-Palestinian coast

Provenance analysis of marble ecclesiastical elements from the extra-mural Byzantine Church of Udhruh (South Jordan)

The aim of this research is to assign the provenance of marble samples uncovered from the extra-mural Byzantine Church of Udhruh (Augustopolis), south Jordan. The church is a three-nave basilica that most probably was built in the fifth century CE. In later expansion phases, it was remodeled by the addition of two side chapels and several rooms. The research investigated the physical, mineralogical, and isotopic properties of twenty-four marble samples of different functions using naked eyes, lenses, and multiple analytical techniques including optical microscopy, mass spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction. The results showed that the architectural elements were made of the gray calcitic Proconnesus-1 marble (Marmara, Turkey); while the four fonts or basins were carved out of the beige dolomitic Thasos-3 marble (Thasos Island, Cape Vathy, Greece); and the small squared column of unknown function was carved out of the fine-grained white calcitic Penteli marble (Mount Pentelikon, Attica, Greece).The results indicate that the most popular supply of the ecclesial marble to the south (and north) Jordan during the Byzantine period was the gray Proconnesus-1. The use of white Penteli and Thasos-3 marbles were limited to ritual elements.NWO331-62-001 - 2018/GW/00502895Roman Provinces, Middle Ages and Modern PeriodMaterial Culture StudiesClassical & Mediterranean Archaeolog

Surgical management of low grade isthmic spondylolisthesis; a randomized controlled study of the surgical fixation with and without reduction

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>spondylolisthesis is a condition in which a vertebra slips out of the proper position onto the bone below it as a result of pars interarticularis defect. The slipped segment produces abnormal positioning of the vertebrae in relation to each other along the spinal column and causes mechanical back pain and neural breach.</p> <p>Materials and methods</p> <p>A randomized and double blinded study consisted of 41 patients aged 36-69 years (18 females and 28 males) treated for symptomatic spondylolisthesis between December,2006 and December, 2009. All patients were randomly distributed into two groups I and II. Twenty patients were in Group I; they underwent reduction of the slipped vertebrae by using Reduction-Screw Technique and posterior lumbar interbody fixation (PLIF). Group II consisted of twenty one patients who underwent only surgical fixation (PLIF) without reduction. All patients in this study had same pre and post operative management.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>only one case had broken rod in group I that required revision. Superficial wound infection was experienced in two patients and one patient, from group II, developed wound hematoma. The outcome in both groups was variable on the short term but was almost the same on the long term follow up.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>surgical management of symptomatic low grade spondylolisthesis should include neural decompression and surgical fixation. Reduction of slipped vertebral bodies is unnecessary as the ultimate outcome will be likely similar.</p

Composition of glass bracelets and rings from the Ayyubid-Mamluk cemetery at Dohaleh, north Jordan

Twenty-six glass bracelets and three finger rings from an Ayyubid-Mamluk (1179–1517 CE) cemetery at Dohaleh, North Jordan, have been analysed by electron microprobe. They fall into six compositional groups, based upon their alkali- and silica-related components. Groups A and F were made using Levantine plant ash but differ in their silica sources, they are typically decolorized using manganese. Groups B, C and E overlap in terms of silica-related components but may be sub-divided on the basis of alkali source; this appears to have been a mineral alkali, possibly from Anatolia. A single bracelet (Group D) shows characteristics of Mesopotamian glass. All groups show evidence of tin-opacification, but the color palette of the mineral soda glasses is more restricted; furthermore, they were not decolorized using manganese. The results suggest that glass bracelets were being obtained from a wide range of sources

Efficacy and safety of cross-linked hyaluronic acid single injection on osteoarthritis of the knee: a post-marketing phase IV study

Khaldoon Bashaireh,1 Ziad Naser,2 Khaled Al Hawadya,2 Sorour Sorour,2 Rami Nabeel Al-Khateeb3 1Department of Orthopedics Surgery, King Abdullah University Hospital, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan; 2Private Clinic, 3Elaf Medical Supplies Company, Amman, Jordan Purpose: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and duration of action of viscosupplementation with Crespine&reg; Gel over a 9-month period.Materials and methods: The study was a post-marketing phase IV study. A total of 109 participants with osteoarthritis of the knee (grades 1&ndash;4) in the tibio&ndash;femoral compartment were recruited in Jordan. Data were collected from each participant during the baseline visit. Each participant received Crespine&reg; Gel injection, and follow-up visits took place at 3&nbsp;months, 6&nbsp;months, and 9&nbsp;months post-injection.Main outcome measure(s): An assessment of participants by phone was conducted at 1&nbsp;month, 2&nbsp;months, 4&nbsp;months, 5&nbsp;months, 7&nbsp;months, and 8&nbsp;months post-injection. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index questionnaires were completed during each visit. A 72-hour visit questionnaire was used to assess the safety of the injection. Statistical analysis included a two-sided 95% confidence interval for the difference between pain scores across visits, and the percent change from baseline was calculated.Main results: The full analysis included 84 participants who gave their informed consent and finished the necessary baseline and follow-up visits needed to assess efficacy and safety. Peak improvement was noted at 5&nbsp;months post-injection, when pain and physical performance scores had decreased to 2.60 and 9.90, respectively, and the stiffness score was 0.33. The peak improvement in stiffness was noted at 8&nbsp;months post-injection, when the stiffness score had decreased to 0.32. Significant improvements were still apparent at 9&nbsp;months post-injection, when the pain score was 3.36, the stiffness score was 0.42, and the physical performance score was 11.5. All side effects were local and transient, and included pain, swelling, and redness of the knee. Most side effects were treated.Conclusion: Hyaluronan should be encouraged as an alternative or adjunct treatment to oral analgesics to reduce their required doses, and delay potential future surgical intervention. Keywords: osteoarthritis, hyaluronic acid, intra-articular injection, Crespine&reg; Ge

Paleodiet Reconstruction of Human Remains from the Archaeological Site of Natfieh, Northern Jordan

From the 20th International Radiocarbon Conference held in Kona, Hawaii, USA, May 31-June 3, 2009.This investigation concerns human teeth and bones from the site of Natfieh, north Jordan. Nitrogen and carbon isotope analyses were used to model the paleo-economy by reconstructing Natfieh's paleodiet during a specific time period. 14C dating of human teeth and bones from the site of Natfieh, north Jordan, demonstrate that they belong to the Early Roman period and match the archaeological date from the tomb and grave goods typology. Stable isotope analyses of these humans have provided new information about the subsistence and society of individuals buried at Natfieh. Natfieh is today agriculturally productive and must have been so in antiquity with most of the foodstuffs having been produced locally. The long distance between Natfieh and the closest aquatic food source (Mediterranean Sea and Lake Tiberias) and the high cost of land transportation might be the reason for the low consumption of marine protein. The results agree with past research on the Roman diet showing that plants were the common source of food for the Romans and fish may have been restricted to elite members of the society.The Radiocarbon archives are made available by Radiocarbon and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact [email protected] for further information.Migrated from OJS platform February 202